Journaling - Part 2

Check out Proverbs 3:2-4, "For they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
 
Now is a great time to begin the discipline of journaling with all the back to school discounts on Composition books. The purpose for journaling is to record “God sightings” in your life. Similar to a blog, a journal is a reflection of daily activities that are personal and meaningful. This is an opportunity to chart the apparent themes developing in your life.
 
Keep it simple by using bullet points; add scriptures, and events in your week. Do not get frustrated when you only have a sentence or single thought to express. You are not writing a novel. Post prayer requests, summarize key points from a song, sermon or a section of scripture. Ask yourself, “What did God bring my way today that taught me about Him and His character?” Or jot down something I learned about myself that I need to develop or redirect.
 
The book of Psalms is a great model of journaling. The Psalmists share the good, bad and the ugly of their day. Notice that they always reflect back to the instabilities of their day, only to point out the eternal stability of their God and His faithfulness. David reminds himself that God is his rock, refuge and fortress, but still expresses disappointment toward his foes and even God!  Yet, he is remembered as a “man after God’s own heart” Acts 13:22.
 
Ask hard questions and let them sit on the page for awhile. This will bring depth in your thinking and in your character. 
 
My college journals challenge me even today. They force me to reflect on where those passions went. Do I have the same intensity, wisdom, and ideology compared to way back in those days? My current journal fits in my back pocket.  It’s where I keep scripture memory, poems, quotes and my thoughts on what’s up and what’s going on in me, through me and in the lives of those around me. Go for it. Adventure and discovery awaits you!

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Camper Corner
 
Journaling isn’t just for the old, but for the young – young at heart and young in mind. Find time to express your thoughts, feelings and concerns. Draw, doodle, misspell, scribble, whatever… just express yourself in your adventure to be all that God would have you to be, in order to impact you and your world.